After a chilly night, we headed to the base of the North Peak to start roped climbing at 8AM. Brad climbed unbearably slowly, especially when in the lead, and had problems keeping to a good route. After leap-frogging for 10 leads, it was 4PM and we were barely halfway up the North Peak. Brad realized he was slowing us down too much and let me do all the leading from this point. I started belaying him using my jumars so I could maintain tension to help him along without tiring my hands gripping the rope.

Regarding the so-called “Basin”: the slope is quite steep but extremely brushy. It is made slippery by moisture seeping from cracks in the mountain. We climbed together roped up, assuming a fall would be stopped by the rope catching on the brush.